Rafa Benitez ended the transfer window with 12 new signings for Newcastle United in one of the most exciting summers on Tyneside for years.

The United boss has now taken part in a Q and A with the Chronicle and reflected on the busy period since the club were relegated from the Premier League.

Here Benitez discusses the business at United during the window and why he decided on a major overhaul.

1) The transfer window closed last night, how happy are you with the business that’s been done this summer?

Rafa replied: “I am very happy.

“We have really done a lot of business, to move players out and also to bring new players with experience in. It has not been easy all the time, because of the price of players in this window especially when the Premier League clubs had received their TV income.

“But we have traded very well, we have kept focussed on our targets and we have tried to bring the players in with the characteristics that we needed.

“Everyday, until the last minute of the last day, my communication with Lee has been great.

“We did everything we had to do to finalise our business early, but these days you can’t control what others do, so while I was in Nyon in the UEFA Coaches Meeting and on my way back to UK, we were talking about the last transfers. I have to say I think we have done a great job and I think it is easy to see that.”

2) There’s been a significant number of changes to the squad, both incoming and outgoing, what has been your thinking for the major overhaul?

Rafa replied: “We needed every single player in the squad to be dedicated and to want to help in the campaign for promotion.

“I said in a lot of interviews this group of players have been very good professionals, but, when a player doesn’t have that desire then we need to move him on to another club. It affects moral and atmosphere in the group and that can be damaging.

“Also, we have had some players who were happy at Newcastle but they would not have been a big part of my plans this season. These players want to play football, that is normal, so sometimes it is in the best interests of everyone that they leave.

“We have brought in twelve players, which is more business than the club have ever done in a transfer window.

“But after the relegation and the atmosphere you could sense, we needed to make sure that we were strong in every position and that we had the right players and the right characters with experience for the Championship.”

“We know we couldn’t get some names that we wanted but we brought players in the positions and with the experience required for this division.”

3) A few positions were a priority for you – centre back, striker, left-back and winger. Are you happy with the way the club has strengthened those key positions?

Rafa replied: “Yes I am happy. Everyone could see we needed more offensive players, more creativity in the team.

“So we have Matt Ritchie, Mo Diame and Dwight Gayle who are already doing a really good job for us to create chances and score goals and of course we added Daryl Murphy which gives us another option up front.

“Now we have Christian Atsu who is an attacking winger, as well as Achraf Lazaar and DeAndre Yedlin who are attack-minded defenders.

“We’ve also strengthened in other areas; Gámez, Clark, Hanley and Sels will increase the competition at the back and Hayden will do the same in the middle, so the competition in each position only can be good for the team.”

Read More

Newcastle United transfers - deadline day

4) You’ve brought in several players with lots of Championship experience and knowledge of English football. Was that important for you?

Rafa replied: “It is important.

“The priority for us is that we get promotion this season, so we had to focus in the window on getting the right players for this division.

“The Championship is tougher and more physical, but still with good quality.

“Players who already have experience in the Championship understand the way the game is played already and they can help the rest of the squad to prepare for the style of football and the character that you need to succeed in this division.”

5) The likes of Gini Wijnaldum, Andros Townsend, Moussa Sissoko and Daryl Janmaat have left Newcastle in this window. You stated before that players would only be sold if the deal was in the best interests of the squad and the club, are you happy that’s the case with these outgoings?

Rafa replied: “With Andros, I wanted to keep him because he was exactly the type of creative player that we could build the team around, but football is not always as easy as that. He loved being at Newcastle but he wanted to play in the Premier League, we had to respect his decision.

“Gini, Moussa and Daryl also wanted to play in the top division. They are talented players, but our objective is very clear and we needed every single player, like the staff and the fans, pushing in the same direction.

“It can affect the atmosphere and the team spirit if you don’t have that.

“Fans will know that sometimes the team spirit was not strong last season and that was part of the problem why we got relegated.”

“A group of individuals with a lot of talent does not make a good team. Our priority has been to build a strong team with good character, mentality and also talent. Now we have a squad where every player who is here wants to work together to fight for the club."